Overview & Reviews

Kia Motors is a South Korean automaker that's relatively new to the United States. In its early years, Kia largely catered to budget-minded consumers with well-equipped vehicles priced below competing models. More recently, this growing brand has kept value a priority while also emphasizing technology and sportiness.

Founded in Korea in 1944, Kia started as a producer of steel tubing and bicycle parts. The company's name has its roots in the Chinese language, and means "to arise, to come up out of Asia." By the early 1950s, the company had produced Korea's first bicycle; by the latter part of the decade, Kia had branched out into motor scooters, with the rollout of the C100.

The 1960s saw Kia expanding its lineup to include motorcycles and three-wheeled cargo vehicles. Naturally, the next logical step was automobile production, and the company began moving in this direction in the early 1970s. By 1973, Kia had built a facility designed to make its automotive dreams a reality; its Sohari plant held the distinction of being Korea's first fully integrated automobile production facility, and went on to spawn Korea's first internal-combustion gasoline engine. A year later, Kia unveiled the Brisa, Korea's first passenger car. By the end of the decade, Kia's technology was being used to manufacture vehicles like the Peugeot 604 and the Fiat 132.

By the late '80s, Kia's lineup included new models like the Concord, Capital, Potentia and Pride. In 1987, Ford brought the Pride to U.S. shores, rebadging it as the Ford Festiva. Seven years later, Ford dealers got a replacement for the entry-level, subcompact Festiva in the form of another Kia constructed product, the Aspire.

Kia finally began selling vehicles in the U.S. under its own name in the early '90s, trumpeting its presence with the introduction of the compact Sephia. The car's rollout was gradual; in the early days of its production, the Sephia was only available in select Western states. By the mid-'90s, SUVs had emerged as a phenomenally popular and profitable vehicle segment. Kia responded with the 1995 Sportage, a compact SUV. By the end of the '90s, Kia's nationwide rollout was nearly complete.

Financial difficulties in the late '90s prevented Kia from expanding its lineup beyond those two models. Hyundai, South Korea's other major automaker, acquired the company in a merger in 1998.

Kia has been on a major upswing since its purchase by Hyundai, with improvements in build quality, performance and overall refinement. Reliability, previously a weak point, has also improved markedly and consumers' confidence was further bolstered by Kia's substantial warranty program. Today, Kia is on a dramatic upswing and offers a broad lineup of well-built coupes, sedans and crossovers that stand out for their value, performance and sporty styling.

User Reviews:

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  20,000 Miles and Going - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By buffalotom - January 29 - 8:56 pm

  Have a 2012 SX, its quick, but seats and handling have much room for improvement. I think the stock 18 inch tires have too high a side wall, tires bounce like a basket ball. Car now has 20K miles, the turbo is cutting in and out, usually upon motor start it sometimes doesnt work, and when restarted thereafter it works again. Shop (Robin w/Transitowne KIA in Buffalo NY Area) looked it over, says its b/c I had it in FWD lock, which makes no sense. Since Ive kept is out of FWD lock, still acting up. When the restart trick stops working Ill take it back in.

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  Great First Car - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Elizabeth - January 25 - 7:13 am

  I absolutely love my Kia. It was my first car. I chose it because it could fit everything I owned inside of it. Not only did it haul me down to Georgia from Ohio but then moved all of my stuff to Florida a few months later. It also made the move to Dallas and back wonderfully. I consistently take it on long trips and it has never given me any trouble. Its a comfortable ride and gets great mileage on the highway. Of the 2 problems I have had the 1st (cracked master cylinder) was under warranty and the 2nd (fluid in the brakes) was my fault. I didnt use the 4WD enough in the florida climate and hoses disintegrated. The dealer told me, but I decided not to fix it and it caused the brakes.

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  Great little compact utility, paint sucks - 2011 Kia Soul
  By dewdrinker87 - January 24 - 2:34 pm

  This is exactly what I was looking for. I got tired of sitting on the floor in little cars but didnt want to drop a fortune on an SUV. I get decent gas mileage (see suggested improvements). The engine is surprising zippy for what it is especially having a four speed. The interior is quite comfy, the seats are firm which I like. The only small issue I have had is the drivers side door plastic has begun to rattle but Im going to get that fixed next oil change under warranty. Compared to my old vehicle (2006 Chevy Cobalt) its so much better as far as quality goes. I use to look at the uneven door gaps on the Cobalt and just grimace. Huge negative is the paint. Poor durability... Rock Chips!

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  Excellent family car but not for everyone - 2008 Kia Rondo
  By dondon - January 24 - 3:03 am

  If you are looking for a fuel efficient great cargo family car, Rondo will serve you the best. Nonetheless, driving is no fun. Four cylinder seems little weak but doable. Bottom line what the hack great car for family and small to mid size delivery but for fun, go get some other car. I have no mechanical problem so far almost 2 year now

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  Optima has been a good car - 2003 Kia Optima
  By wsm - January 23 - 4:10 pm

  We bought our 2003 Optima just after getting married in 2003. We werent particularly looking for a Kia but due to the rebates Kia was giving at the time we settled on the Kia because it had superior options and a price we could afford. After 7 years of ownership we are ready to upgrade though and unfortunately wont be buying another Kia. Heres why: Cons: we paid 18000 for the car and today we can get about $3500 if were lucky. Depreciation on this car is terrible. Belt squeals nonstop and dealers cant figure out problem. Always had transmission troubles that again dealer cant fix. Pros: Super reliable, fuel system problem at 30000 miles and door problem at 120000 but otherwise Reliable!

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  great little car, but..... - 2009 Kia Rio
  By bigkev - January 23 - 4:26 am

  this is our second Rio shopping trolley. best value and size in its class by far. Fuel consumption is disappointingly high and the transmission had to be replaced the morning after we got it. Fine now and these things happen. Tyres are utter crap and noisy as hell. Otherwise its a good mum and pop runaround, and provided you are patient with the lack of acceleration you sort of get attached to them. For the price and 5 year w/tee, plus low service costs its a winner.

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  Its Great! - 2002 Kia Rio
  By Carolyn - January 22 - 11:06 pm

  This was the first new car Id ever owned. I bought what I could afford & I really believe I got a great value along with a fun, reliable car to drive. I have never had any problems other than normal maintenance like tires, battery. If I had to do it all over again I would! I love my car and plan on keeping it for quite sometime. I tell all my friends & family what a great car I have. I just wish my husband wasnt so tall then he could ride in it. But I tell him that I didnt know him when I bought my car.

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  A value if it proves reliable - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By JimScot - January 20 - 11:43 am

  Too new to rate reliability. However we looked at all four wheel and all wheel drive cars and the Kia was by far the best value. We also liked that it was made in the USA. A better overall value than the Subaru Forester. Initial mileage of 21 slightly disappointing as we were getting that from the V-6 in the Buick and this is only a four. Here in Maine, the AWD is essential during the winter months. Time will tell how the Kia will hold up.

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  one month - 2008 Kia Rio
  By rioowner - January 18 - 1:40 am

  The basic Rio is pleasantly surprising. All is well with it, except filling the gas tank today, I got 30.1 mpg. On the lot where I bought my Rio were signs on some of the Rios stating 44 mpg. Now, I know that is highway miles, and the sticker only said 27 city, 34 highway, but something is amiss here. I am thinking, if I get 44 highway, then I think I should get at least 35 city. And driving it slower than two thirds of other vehicles, I think that should have been accomplished. I am disappointed in the mileage I got for 9.98 gallons, traveling 301 miles. The reason I bought it was for the mileage. But.....

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  Kia evaluation - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By ron thibodeau - January 17 - 10:53 pm

  I find the Kia Sedona a good riding car with a good comfortable interior. One negative is that the gas mileage is poor - maybe 17 mpg local, 21 mpg on trips